Senate Bill 65 Will Reform DUI Statutes in Montana

The Montana Department of Justice has approximately 11 bills in the Montana State Legislature. According to Attorney General Tim Fox, one of their most important bills is Senate Bill 65 and that is being carried by Kalispell Senator Keith Regier.

“It is a total rewrite of the DUI statutes,” Fox said. “They are kind of scattered around the Montana code. They have been amended and hodgepodged over the years. They are difficult to work with. Prosecutors and public defenders have asked us to try to put together a new set of codes that works better for everyone.”

Fox says there will be some changes when it comes to requesting a blood draw during a DUI investigation.

“First time suspected DUI individuals can refuse a breathalyzer test,” Fox said. “Often times it is necessary to get a blood draw, but we can’t do that on a first DUI. We are looking at permission to go to a judge and get a warrant to get a blood draw. We have seen such a rise in driving under the influence of drugs, that that’s important for that as well.”

Fox says the bill would also give judges the option of putting the individual in the 24/7 sobriety program after their first DUI. He says that program has been so successful when it comes to reducing DUI recidivism in the state. You can view Senate Bill 65 right here.